Verses 1 - 5 contain a vision of the return of Jesus Christ to the earth.

Verses 1/5

John sees a Lamb on Mount Zion (v 1), suggesting that the passage relates to the time of the return of Jesus Christ. The 144,000 are with the lamb, and based on the conclusion from chapter 7, the 144,000 refers to the faithful who come from Israel (v 3 confirms this when it states that they were "redeemed from the earth/land").

The question arises of why the redeemed from the nations are not included in this vision (those referred to in chapter 7 v 9). The answer seems to be that the 144,000 are being contrasted with Babylon in verse 8 who commits fornication (compare with v 4 "they ... were not defiled with women; for they are virgins"). If Babylon represents ungodly Jerusalem and Israel, then the 144,000 represents the remainder of the Israelites who have not corrupted themselves like the rest of the nation.

Verse 5 alludes to Zephaniah 3 v 13 ("neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth"). The context of this passage is God's fury poured on the nations that are gathered to the land (Zephaniah 3 v 8) and this is the subject of the seven vials or plagues of Revelation chapter 16.

(Note also Zephaniah 2 v 15 - 3 v 1 and the description of Jerusalem given there. It is this city which is laid desolate by the nations and replaced by the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21.)

In Revelation 14 verses 7 - 18 and Revelation 16 v 1 six angels speak, often with a loud voice (see verses 7, 8, 9, 15, 18, 16 v 1). It is possible that these passages contain a description of the 7 thunders of Revelation 10 v 3 (if the actions of the angel in Revelation 14 v 17 can be considered a thunder as well).

Verses 6/7

The angel preaches the gospel to those dwelling on the earth (Israelites) and every nation, kindred and tongue and people (Gentiles), saying that the hour of God's judgement is come. This passage shows that the gospel, which is often just considered to be good news relating to the fulfilment of the promises to Abraham, also involves declaring judgement on the ungodly as well. The reference to judgement strengthens the conclusion that this passage is considering the time of the establishment of the kingdom when Christ returns.

The reference to heaven, earth, sea and fountains of waters ("worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea and the fountains of waters" - v 7) leads to a comparison with the 4 trumpets which are described in Revelation 8 v 7 - 12. It was concluded that Revelation chapter 8 described the affliction on Israel prior to the return of Christ. Revelation 14 v 7 emphasizes that God has made all things and that any affliction that comes upon his creation  only happens because he permits it.

Verse 8

Babylon falls (identified elsewhere in these notes as ungodly Jerusalem). This passage quotes Isaiah 21 v 9 ("Babylon is fallen, is fallen") and Jeremiah 51 v 7 ("she made all nations drink ... wrath of her"), which described the fall of the ancient kingdom of Babylon. The context of these passages is Babylon's graven images and idolatry (Isaiah 21  v 9) and the call to depart from her (Jeremiah 51 v 6). It is the 144,000 who did separate themselves from ungodly Jerusalem.

Verses 9/12

This passage deals with the punishment of those who worship the beast and its image, which is described again in Revelation 19 v 19 - 21. It alludes to Jeremiah 51 v 7 (nations "drink (Babylon's) wine" - see verse 10), Psalm 75 v 8 ("cup ... mixture"- see v 10) and Isaiah 34 v 10 ("smoke ascends up ... ever and ever" - punishment on the nations (v 1)). It was explained in the notes on chapter 6 that Isaiah 34 describes the punishment on Jerusalem and Judah (carried out in the time of the seals and the trumpets) and other nations like Edom (v 6).

[The notes on chapter 19 consider similatities between chapters 14 and 19 in more detail.]

[Note the greek word translated "mixture" in verse 10 is more properly rendered "strength", for example it is translated "dominion" in Revelation 1 v 6. The expression "wrath of God, which is poured out without dominion/strength (v 10)" may mean that those who are the recipients of God's wrath do not have a part in God's kingdom and dominion.]

Verse 13

This refers to the blessing of  those who die in the Lord from the time when John receives the revelation. The blessing is that they will be redeemed and inherit the kingdom when the nations are subdued by Christ.

Verses 14/20

Verses 14 - 20 employ the language of Joel 3 v 13 ("Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great" - see verses 15, 16, 18 and 19) and Isaiah 63 v 3 ("tread the winepress" - see v 20). Both passages describe God's punishment on the nations at the time of Christ's return. The person who is described in verse 14 can be considered to be Jesus Christ ("one like unto the son of man" - see Revelation 1 v 6).

Verses 14 and 16 employ the language of Daniel 7 v 13 ("one like the son of man ... clouds"), the context of which describes the destruction of the beast (v11) and the establishment of the kingdom of God (v14).

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